Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from $118
This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 14/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
1 Feb — 8 Feb1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 44 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Friday
Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.
Best flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Sun 1/206:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 5/209:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 2/1$241
Thu 5/321:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Mon 9/323:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 1/1$247
Tue 20/116:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Fri 23/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/1$279
Mon 19/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Thu 29/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$241
Mon 2/319:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Fri 6/320:25CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$243
Mon 9/321:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Mon 16/309:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 31/12$289
Mon 16/319:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Mon 30/314:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$249
Wed 3/606:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Wed 10/621:40CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 30/12$294
Tue 20/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 22/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$274
Mon 2/306:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mMultiple Airlines
Fri 6/323:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/1$303
Thu 15/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Thu 22/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 30/12$277
Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Thu 5/215:40MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Mon 9/219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$240
Tue 20/116:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Thu 29/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$241
Fri 13/306:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 26/309:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$243
Thu 29/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 5/209:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$244
Thu 5/321:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Mon 9/323:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 1/1$247
Fri 30/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Mon 2/219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 30/12$267
Thu 15/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Tue 20/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/1$274
Tue 13/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Sat 17/107:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$276
Sat 7/306:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Sat 21/309:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$277
Tue 13/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Fri 23/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 31/12$279
Last-minute flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 2 January 2026 and is based on user searches.
Tue 13/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Sat 17/107:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$276
Tue 13/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Fri 23/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 31/12$279
Thu 15/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Mon 19/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/1$274
Thu 15/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Thu 22/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 30/12$277
Fri 16/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Tue 20/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 31/12$285
Sun 18/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 22/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$283
Sun 18/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Thu 22/119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/1$288
Tue 20/116:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Thu 29/119:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$241
Sun 25/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Sat 31/118:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$243
Thu 29/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Thu 5/209:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$244
Fri 30/106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Mon 2/219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 30/12$267
One-way flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Search for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Wed 14/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$118
Tue 13/119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 1/1$120
Fri 13/206:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Deal found 29/12$124
Sat 21/206:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Deal found 30/12$130
Mon 16/219:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 31/12$135
Mon 9/321:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 31/12$136
Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.
Fly from
Melbourne
Fly to
Cairns
Route
Depart
Return
Price
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Sun 1/2
06:15-08:30
Nonstop3h 15m
Cairns
Thu 5/2
09:45-14:10
Nonstop3h 25m
$241
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 19/1
19:45-22:05
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Thu 29/1
19:30-23:55
Nonstop3h 25m
$241
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 2/3
19:45-22:05
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Fri 6/3
20:25-00:50
Nonstop3h 25m
$243
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Thu 5/3
21:25-23:55
Nonstop3h 30m
Cairns
Mon 9/3
23:55-04:20
Nonstop3h 25m
$247
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 16/3
19:45-22:05
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Mon 30/3
14:50-19:20
Nonstop3h 30m
$249
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Tue 20/1
06:15-08:30
Nonstop3h 15m
Cairns
Thu 22/1
19:30-23:55
Nonstop3h 25m
$274
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Thu 15/1
19:45-22:05
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Thu 22/1
19:30-23:55
Nonstop3h 25m
$277
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Tue 20/1
16:25-18:45
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Fri 23/1
19:50-00:15
Nonstop3h 25m
$279
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 9/3
21:25-23:55
Nonstop3h 30m
Cairns
Mon 16/3
09:45-14:10
Nonstop3h 25m
$289
MelbourneCairns
MEL - CNS
MELCNS
Melbourne
Wed 3/6
06:25-09:50
Nonstop3h 25m
Cairns
Wed 10/6
21:40-01:00
Nonstop3h 20m
$294
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 30/12
Showing 1-10 of 22 results
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Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns
Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.
Cheapflights Insights
Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Prices
Airlines
Delays
How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 26 December 2025.
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns, you should look to book at least 44 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $115). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $199). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?
Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 53% on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the evening.
What is the cheapest day to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 27 December 2025.
Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight should consider departing on Wednesday at midday when fares are most often at their lowest. Tuesday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Explore weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Friday (30 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Wednesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (19 on average).
How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?
About 15% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 102 minutes.
What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.
What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?
Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.
Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Over the past year, China Eastern have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 5% of flights being delayed.
Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns
Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 2 January 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown with Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, andJetstar
from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
The crew were very welcoming and the landing was excellent
Related info for your journey
Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?
If you book a flight to Cairns from Melbourne, you will be flying to Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4.4 km from the centre of Cairns. There are 23 flights from Melbourne to Cairns per day from 3 different airlines.
How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in about 3h 15m. The time it takes to get you to your destination is usually consistent. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 2311 km. Most flights are nonstop.
What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?
Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $128 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $165 and $196 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 59% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns one-way?
$106 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Jetstar. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, with prices starting from $135 and $216, respectively.
What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns are China Southern (100%), Emirates (93%) and Air New Zealand (93%).
What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
On average you can expect to pay $269 for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $112 while the most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns) is currently priced at $238.
Where are the most common stopover locations when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights have a stopover in Sydney most often.
What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Sydney?
If you're on a stopover in Sydney and looking for things to do, consider visiting Sydney Opera House, The Metro Theatre, or The Rocks Markets. Sydney Opera House, The Metro Theatre and The Rocks Markets are located about 9.9 km, 7.6 km, and 9.6 km, respectively from Sydney Kingsford Smith if you are interested in checking them out. Travellers in need of a car in Sydney can hire one for about $70 per day.
Where are the least popular stopover locations for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights?
The least popular stopover on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Brisbane.
Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $115). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $199). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach
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Fly from Melbourne to Cairns on these airlines
Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 2 January 2026.
Explore flights to Cairns departing from other origins. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 2 January 2026.
Browse through other flights departing from Melbourne. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 2 January 2026.
Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 2 January 2026.
Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.
How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.
Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?
Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.
Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?
Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights from Melbourne to Cairns, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.
Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?
Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on Melbourne to Cairns flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.
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